AlexM Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 I've noticed these available for the miata, looks like an ideal product for stiffening an Aerotop. I haven't had a good look at the bottom of the chassis but does anyone think/know it's viable? If so, who could I see about getting one fabricated? TIA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 Think about a cardboard box with no lid on it. It'll lozenge and twist like crazy. Put a bottom in it 4 times thicker than standard. it'll still lozenge and twist, but less so. Put a thin lid on it and it'll be like a rock, comparatively speaking. You need a decent roll cage, not the Forth Road Bridge nailing on underneath Open top cars also bow, like a banana. Again, tying the two ends together is what you need, not a banana with a thicker skin along one side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobSheffield Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 Good analogies there Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexM Posted November 10, 2008 Author Share Posted November 10, 2008 Think about a cardboard box with no lid on it. It'll lozenge and twist like crazy. Put a bottom in it 4 times thicker than standard. it'll still lozenge and twist, but less so. Put a thin lid on it and it'll be like a rock, comparatively speaking. You need a decent roll cage, not the Forth Road Bridge nailing on underneath Open top cars also bow, like a banana. Again, tying the two ends together is what you need, not a banana with a thicker skin along one side. Ah, but does a cage exist that's suitable for a daily driver which will stiffen the chassis and not ruin the usability of the car (whilst also not blowing my insurance out of proportion)? I'm yet to find one, but open to ideas. How does something like an S2000 manage to be so stiff, comparatively? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Would need to be a custom job. Honda designed the S2000 long after the Supra, and it was designed as an open top from the start, not a chopped up coupe. If you want a stock MKIV that handles you need a coupe, not an aerotop. I am sure a caged aerotop could be made to be stiffer than a stock coupe, but it would look like a refugee from the race track. A more basic and subtle cage could surely be made and not be too obtrusive, yet make a huge improvement. The people that did Wes's cage could do one, for example. (Andy Robinson Race Cars). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STU_3LTR_TT Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Had mine custom mate total weld in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexM Posted November 11, 2008 Author Share Posted November 11, 2008 Had mine custom mate total weld in. That looks pretty non-intrusive. Does it allow for any of the interior to go back in though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRACIE_LOU Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 That looks pretty non-intrusive. Does it allow for any of the interior to go back in though? im not sure about non intrusive theres two dirty great bars across the gap, surely you buy an aero top for the pleasure of open top driving :d Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Had mine custom mate total weld in. Wow, looks like a minter job. Don't think i'd like to lift the lid on mine and have two bars there though.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Nice job, very neat. A good compromise, IMO. But do people who buy aerotops worry about ultimate handling? So long as they are reasonable, which they are, even as stock, wouldn't a purist after track day performance, choose a coupe anyway? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexM Posted November 11, 2008 Author Share Posted November 11, 2008 Nice job, very neat. A good compromise, IMO. But do people who buy aerotops worry about ultimate handling? So long as they are reasonable, which they are, even as stock, wouldn't a purist after track day performance, choose a coupe anyway? I have a coupe for track days Chris, it was the steamy white one parked in front of your lorry at Llandow. The reason for asking about the butterfly brace was because of the skuttle shake, the roads where I live are pretty poor and it's terrible - like driving some sort of vibrator. I was hoping something like that would minimise the effect without having to go for a full on cage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRACIE_LOU Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 I have a coupe for track days Chris, it was the steamy white one parked in front of your lorry at Llandow. The reason for asking about the butterfly brace was because of the skuttle shake, the roads where I live are pretty poor and it's terrible - like driving some sort of vibrator. I was hoping something like that would minimise the effect without having to go for a full on cage. we have the strut braces fitted front and rear and we found this reduced it to an acceptable level :d Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STU_3LTR_TT Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 That looks pretty non-intrusive. Does it allow for any of the interior to go back in though? Yes full interior is going back in, just miner alterations to dash/quarter panels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexM Posted November 11, 2008 Author Share Posted November 11, 2008 Yes full interior is going back in, just miner alterations to dash/quarter panels. Why is it bright green? Some sort of spray on sound deadening or just fancied a funky colour? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STU_3LTR_TT Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Why is it bright green? Some sort of spray on sound deadening or just fancied a funky colour? As there is a full interior going back in with bride low max seats re trimmed in bride logo and black leather,green stitching to match takata harnesses ,will trim most of the cage with bride logo,so you want see much of the interior colour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexM Posted November 11, 2008 Author Share Posted November 11, 2008 Make sure you post up the end result, I'd like to see that. What did it cost for the cage (and any related work), if you don't mind my asking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STU_3LTR_TT Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Make sure you post up the end result, I'd like to see that. What did it cost for the cage (and any related work), if you don't mind my asking? Think just under 2k . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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